How to Get Netherlands Work Visa in 2023: A Complete Guide

The Netherlands is one of the most popular locations in Europe for foreign workers. If you want to reside and work in the Netherlands, you need to apply for a Netherlands work visa.

A work visa for the Netherlands is a residence permit granted to immigrants who want to enter the country for work purposes. All non-European citizens must apply for a work visa. On the other hand, citizens from EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland no longer need a work visa or residence permit to work or live in the Netherlands.

Types of Netherlands Work Visas

Each type of Netherlands work visa comes with its own requirements and conditions. The distinction in work visa types helps you find the right job that matches your skillset to build a meaningful career.

Regular paid work
Seasonal labour
Highly skilled migrant

European Blue Card

#1. Regular Paid Work

This visa is for those who want to work in the Netherlands as a regular employee. The requirements for a Dutch regular employee visa are:

You need an employment contract from an employer in the Netherlands.

You must earn at least the minimum wage for employees above the age of 23.
Your employer must confirm that the position has not been filled by a Dutch or EEA/EU citizen.

#2. Seasonal labour

A Netherlands work visa for seasonal labour is issued to foreign workers who will be doing seasonal work in the country. A Dutch seasonal work visa is granted for a maximum of 24 weeks. The requirements include:

Employment contract with an employer in the Netherlands.
You need to obtain a Single Permit (a combined residence permit and work permit).
You must earn the minimum wage or a percentage.

#3. Highly skilled migrant

Highly skilled migrants are foreign nationals who will contribute to the Dutch knowledge-based economy. A highly skilled migrant must earn a minimum of €3,299 if they are under 30 years old. If you’re over 30, you need to earn a minimum wage of €4,500.

Other conditions for a highly skilled migrant work visa are:

Employment contract with an employer or research institution in the Netherlands.

The employer must be a recognized sponsor by the IND.
For scientific researchers: your employment contract must be signed on behalf of the institution. Also, the contract must include the job description and code in accordance with the University Job Classification System (UFO).
For doctors in training: the institute you’ll be training in must be set out by the Medical Specialists Registration Committee (MSRC), Social Medicine Physicians Registrations Committee (SGRC) or General practitioner and Nursing home Physicians Registrations Committee (HRVC). You must also be registered with the Individual Healthcare Professions, also known as BIG-register.

#4. European Blue Card

The European Blue Card is a work permit issued by the European Commission that allows a non-EU citizen to live and work in the Netherlands without a visa. To get an EU Blue Card, you must meet the following requirements:

Employment contract valid for at least 12 months.
A higher education diploma from a program of at least three years.

Your higher education certificate must be evaluated by Nuffic.
You must prove you meet the standards for practicing your profession.
You must earn the required minimum wage for EU Blue Card holders (€5,272 per month).

The branch you’re transferring to cannot have been fined in the last 5 years for violating Article 2 of the Aliens Employment Act. They must be up to date with wage tax or employer insurance premiums.

Note: You’ll need a Netherlands work visa and work permit to work in the Netherlands when you have an EU Blue Card issued by another nation.

Documentation to Apply for a Netherlands Work Visa

The application process may take up to six months, so you need to start early to apply for your Netherlands work visa. General documents needed to apply for a work visa include:

A valid passport
Visa fees (around €190)
A medical examination certificate if you will stay longer than 3 months

Proof of sufficient income earnings
Proof that the information provided on your application is true
A clear criminal record

Once you’ve submitted the visa application, it may take from one to three months to get a response. How long it will take depends on your visa type, nationality, and other factors.